The South Dakota House voted to pass a bill adjusting requirements for school bus drivers.
Previous laws required bus drivers to obtain a medical card proving they were fit to operate a vehicle. For safety regulations, a diabetic driver needed to pass several more tests to be approved for the same medical card.
Trained physicians are now able to issue medical cards to their approved diabetic patients. Supporters of Senate Bill 60 say it eliminates the redundant tests previously required for diabetic individuals.
John Broers is the director of driver licensing for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. He supported the bill and said it will not change safety regulations.
“We just don’t feel it’s necessary anymore,” he said. “It’s not going to sacrifice safety because the same people are going to be driving the buses, and it’s the same medical criteria. It’s just going to eliminate a process that’s not needed anymore.”
The bill passed the House with a 65-1 vote and now awaits Gov. Kristi Noem’s signature.